Over 100 of Texas’ top high school runners lined up at the UIL 6A State Cross Country Championships on November 1-2, 2024, at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, and Coppell's Maya Easterwood delivered big! Maya took an impressive 3rd place with a time of 17:36.80, finishing among the state’s best.

Facing some serious competition from across Texas, Maya held her own and earned a podium spot, right up there with champions Macy Wingard from Denton Braswell and Lily Fawcett from Bridgeland.

Coach Wren shared his excitement, saying:

"We are so incredibly proud of Maya. Finishing 3rd at the State Meet is an incredible accomplishment. She had an unbelievable season but it wasn’t surprising because of how hard she works in practice. I know she will continue to grow as a runner and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her these next two high school seasons.”

Congratulations to Maya and to the entire Coppell cross-country team for an incredible season of dedication and hard work! Each runner pushed their limits, supported their teammates, and represented Coppell with pride. Here’s to an even stronger season next year!

Contact Information

For more details or to support the team, please contact:

Patricia Chi
Email: chi.patricia@gmail.com
Phone: (469) 831-3709

Alone With a Tasman Tiger

Chic Charlie, #2

by

Jane Ellyson

Unique settings and intriguing double storylines make for a great two-for-one story.

Alone With a Tasman Tiger is the second book in author Jane Ellyson’s Chic Charlie series and focuses heavily on Scott and Charlotte Harmon’s friend, Sebastian. Readers new to the series should be able to easily slip into the current story without having read the previous novel; there’s enough backstory mentioned for readers to catch up comfortably. With its intriguing premises, unique settings, and engaging characters, I didn’t want to put the book down. 

The plot is well-paced and compelling, beginning with the characters who are participating in the Australian survival competition television show Alone. I greatly enjoyed the day-to-day of the contestants and the insider view of this type of TV entertainment. Having heard that almost everything in Australia can kill you, I was on pins and needles the entire time that the contestants were in the bush, just waiting for something dire to happen. Part II switches to the yacht race from Sydney to Hobart and the Blue Gazelle that Scott is captaining. The author has the timelines of these two separate parts overlapping, and I liked how it worked out: there was no bouncing back and forth between the two major storylines. The day headings made keeping this straight simple and easy. The race is suspenseful, and danger comes quickly in the form of a terrible storm at sea, as well as the appearance of a mysterious and unidentified black yacht that is not part of the race. 

The resolution to the story comes as quite a surprise and I liked how Charlotte/Charlie and Galina/Betty worked together to find the inexplicably missing Sebastian. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I’m now looking forward to reading book one in the series as well. 

I recommend ALONE WITH A TASMAN TIGER to mystery readers, especially those who enjoy television survival shows and boat races. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

The Cadieux Murders

Historic Homes Mystery, #3

by

R.J. Koreto

Intriguing tale of secrets and murder!

The Cadieux Murders is the latest novel in author R.J. Koreto’s Historic Homes Mystery series and this intriguing tale of family secrets and murder does not disappoint. Although the third book in the series, readers new to the story will easily be able to read and enjoy it as a standalone. 

Successful romance writer Bronwyn Merrick has retained architect and ‘house whisperer’ Wren Fontaine to update her new home, the historically significant house designed by the famed French architect Marius Cadieux and the site of a tragic, unsolved murder in 1955. Cadieux was Wren’s father’s mentor and a man whom she herself had fond childhood memories, so she is eager to take on the project. But before work can even begin, a woman who is stalking Bronwyn and the attorney representing the house’s previous owner are found murdered, one in the very room where the original murder occurred. Wren senses that, somehow, the home is central to the deaths, and as she researches the past, she hopes to find the answers to what is going on in the present. 

Wren has progressed so much, both emotionally and socially, since her first appearance in The Greenleaf Murders, the first book in the series, and much of that growth can be attributed to her relationship with her cool, supportive girlfriend, Hadley Vanderwerf. They are such a complementary couple, and I’m so glad to see Wren’s new confidence. Together, the pair draws on their social and academic connections to build a complete picture of the design and conception of the Cadieux House and the history of the individuals involved: Marius Cadieux, his muse Rebecca Rodriguez Blaine and her husband Dennis and daughter Shoshana, and the new owner Bronwyn Merrick. 

The storytelling is absorbing, and well-placed twists really surprised me along the way to the final resolution. Wren repeatedly informs anyone and all that she is not good at seeing beyond people’s public faces, but she proves time and time again that she’s more adept than she realizes. Important pieces to the puzzle come from several different sources and putting them together to reveal the truth behind the Cadieux House murders is sure to entertain. 

I recommend THE CADIEUX HOUSE MURDERS to cozy mystery readers, especially those interested in old houses, home makeovers, and historic architecture. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

You can check “bake dessert” off your Thanksgiving to-do list! Let the Visiting Nurse Association do the baking with Power of Pie. Pumpkin and pecan pies are available for purchase for $25 each, and pumpkin bread for $15 per loaf at www.powerofpie.org. These delicious fall treats are donated by some of North Texas’ top bakers, including Knife, Central Market, Empire Baking, Ventura Foods, Uncle Willie’s Pies, Sugar and Sage, Brook Hollow Golf Club, Northwood Club, Top Golf, CTI Foods, and more! These treats are perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner.

Pies and bread also make thoughtful gifts for clients, employees, friends, family, and teachers. Your purchases and donations help deliver food and friendship to homebound senior neighbors and provide compassionate care to seriously ill patients.

We are excited to announce nine pick-up locations this year, including McKinney, Denton, Fort Worth, and various Dallas locations. Pick-up will be on Nov. 26 and 27, just in time for your Thanksgiving feast.

A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Interabang Books, and sponsors Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, The Jerry R. Junkins Family Foundation, Eiseman Jewels, Texas Instruments, Canary, and MaryBeth Boutique.

Carrollton-based Expo Home Improvement has organized a food drive from November 14 – 16 to benefit Christian Community Action (CCA), a nonprofit dedicated to preventing homelessness and addressing food insecurity for Denton County residents. 

As families throughout the community prepare for Thanksgiving, the public can donate nonperishable food items, including peanut butter, cereal, macaroni and cheese, and canned goods, to help ensure that neighbors in need have enough to eat this holiday season. 

Items can be dropped off at Expo Home Improvement’s office, located at 2430 Lacy Lane in Carrollton, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, November 14, and Friday, November 15. Additionally, Cerulean Blue Coffee House at 420 Parker Square in Flower Mound will be accepting donations from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, November 16.

“For many families, Thanksgiving is a time to come together and share a meal,” said Michael Flores, President of Expo Home Improvement. “However, for others, putting food on the table is a daily struggle. At Expo Home Improvement, we’re committed to making a meaningful impact, and this food drive is an opportunity for our community to support neighbors who may be facing a difficult season. We’re grateful for the chance to work with Christian Community Action and hope this drive brings comfort to those in need.”

With community support, Expo Home Improvement and CCA aim to collect enough food to alleviate some of the burdens facing vulnerable families in Denton County, helping to ensure all families can focus on the joys of the holiday season. The goal is to fill an Expo Home Improvement truck to the brim, creating a generous donation that embodies their mission of ‘Loving People, Lasting Impact’ and leaving a lasting mark on the community. 

Expo Home Improvement is a privately held company headquartered in Carrollton, Texas. With a focus on bath and shower remodels, door and window replacements, and kitchen cabinet refacing, Expo Home Improvement is committed to helping Texans create beautiful, safe, and energy-efficient homes. Serving Dallas-Fort Worth, Central Texas, San Antonio, and Houston, Expo Home goes above and beyond to provide exceptional service that will help a homeowner enhance their home. The company offers Veterans, senior citizens, public servants, and first responders discounts on all products they offer as an opportunity to serve those who serve others. For more information about Expo Home Improvement, visit expohomeimprovement.com.

Christian Community Action (CCA) is a nonprofit organization serving Denton County by providing essential services to families struggling with poverty and homelessness. CCA’s programs include food pantries, educational support, and job readiness initiatives to empower individuals and families toward self-sufficiency.